TRAVERSE CITY -- It was a mixed bag of opinions Tuesday night, as Traverse City commissioners introduced a non-discrimination ordinance designed to prevent gays, lesbians, and transgendered people from being fired from their job unfairly, kicked out of stores or denied housing.

The ordinance is strongly supported by Commissioner Jim Carruthers, who says the ordinance will paint Traverse City as a welcoming community.

“We don't want to give the impression in our community that we are a hateful community. We want this community to be a welcoming place for everybody to be comfortable in,” Carruthers said.

Almost 100 community members showed up to have their voices heard at the Governmental Center. Some people shared the hardships of being homosexual in Traverse City.

“If I found an apartment that I wanted to live in, I would go there and offer to pay rent…and that person would ask are you coming in by yourself…and I would say no my partner is coming with me. That person would have the right, in Traverse City, to deny me the apartment I want,” a Traverse City resident said.

Other residents said they feel the ordinance will give Traverse City a label they don't want.

“I would rather Traverse City be known as the family state and the community that it is. What pulls us together is not based on sexuality…but on family and values and morals,” Debbue Luhrs said.

Tuesday night was about gathering community input. City commissioners received just that.

On October 4, the issue will be put to a vote.